MOS was founded in 1972 by a group of Hopkins parents led by now-principal Ruth Carp. They had been seeking meaningful alternatives to traditional public school and wanted a different kind of learning environment for their children. With seven families at its core, MOS opened its doors at Quaker Church in Minneapolis. From the beginning, parents, teachers, and friends worked together to keep the school running. They volunteered their time, shared expertise, provided transportation, and even managed finances. Teachers’ salaries and rent were kept low, and decisions were made cooperatively. Over the years MOS has had several homes, eventually settling into its current location on Library Lane in 2003.

The philosophy of MOS has always been simple yet profound: childhood is not preparation for adulthood, but an important stage of life in itself. Each child is valued as a whole person. Learning begins with their needs, interests, and abilities, and the curriculum grows from there. The school emphasizes guided choice, problem solving, creative thinking, and learning by doing. The Twin Cities community is used as an extension of the classroom, encouraging students to see learning opportunities everywhere. Equally important is the culture of care and respect, where students and adults alike support one another and build strong social connections.

More than fifty years later, MOS remains an enduring model of open education. Its longevity reflects both the vision of its founders and the ongoing dedication of families and educators who believe in this child-centered, community-driven approach.

Our school community is dedicated to prioritizing the unique needs of each student. With a focus on personalized learning plans, we cultivate self-reliance and motivation, nurturing informed individuals capable of navigating an ever-changing world. Through individualized development and a commitment to social responsibility, we empower students with the skills to thrive in a world we cannot even imagine.

At MOS, we value:

• Caring Relationships: We prioritize nurturing caring and trusting relationships between students and teachers.
• A Nurturing Environment: Our environment fosters curiosity, creativity, and responsibility, nurturing each student's potential.
• Kindness and Respect: We foster kindness and respect toward others, prioritizing each student's self-esteem.
• Health and Fitness: We promote student health and fitness through activities that develop skills, confidence, and teamwork.
• Parental Partnership: We value parent involvement, offering opportunities for active engagement in their child's education.
• Childhood Appreciation: Childhood is cherished for its unique essence, where children are valued for who they are.
• Curiosity and Learning: We encourage curiosity-driven learning, providing choices and respecting individual learning styles.

At MOS, we believe that real learning goes far beyond memorizing facts. Here, students spend extended time—sometimes an entire year—immersed in a subject. This allows for depth, curiosity, and discovery. Instead of racing through content, we slow down and dig in. We ask, “How do we know this?” and “What else could be true?”

We focus on teaching students how to learn, not just what to learn. Facts change, but the ability to compare, analyze, and question is lasting. Our students learn how to study, how to explore, and how to think critically. They learn how to test ideas, examine evidence, and ask if something makes sense.

In math, for example, it's not about memorizing a rule—it’s about understanding why the rule works. If a student forgets a formula, they’re encouraged to reason their way through a problem and consider what the situation is really asking. That kind of thinking stays with them.

Our goal is to help students develop strong, flexible minds that can approach any subject or problem with confidence and creativity. We want them to leave MOS not just with knowledge, but with the skills and mindset to keep learning for a lifetime.

Ruth’s path to becoming a beloved leader at Metropolitan Open School (MOS) began with a deep curiosity about how children learn. After attending progressive Antioch College, she earned her ACS degree from Purdue University and entered the field through the Lutheran Church of America, where she trained teachers and explored innovative educational methods.

Upon moving to the Twin Cities, Ruth continued her work in education to better support the paths of her two children. She and her husband, Al, joined the Minnetonka Open School group. This group is ultimately led to the creation of MOS.

In 1972, Ruth served both as a volunteer science teacher and volunteer coordinator at MOS. By 1975, she had become principal, teaching full-time and helping guide the school through its formative years. While the daily structure has evolved, Ruth still values the creative, student-led spirit at the heart of MOS. Her greatest insights, she says, have come from observing how different students think creatively through questions and problems.

Both of Ruth’s children graduated from MOS, and she now has three grandchildren. She often travels to Germany and remains passionate about the arts and outdoors. A fan of opera and theater, her favorite is 10,000 Things Theater. She also enjoys hiking and playing the piano.

Ruth is still a guiding voice in the MOS community—an advocate for joyful, student-centered learning and a model of lifelong curiosity and care.

I am very passionate about children and want them to have their best life. I feel very fortunate that for almost 40 years, I have had the opportunity to teach and encourage children to develop and strengthen their life skills.

I believe that every child has their own personal definition of “normal” and also has the ability to become exceptional. Children become exceptional when they have the opportunity to build, use and strengthen their social/emotional, creative, problem-solving, physical, and academic skills.

When I pay attention, children teach me something new every day.

I have had the honor of working with many families that have newly immigrated to the US. They generously shared their lives with me and are some of my greatest teachers and mentors. Through them I learned to better understand the diversity of experiences that all children bring with them to school each day.

My husband and I have three remarkable adult daughters, and one energetic loving dog.